Gimbaled micro-head/flexure/conductor assembly and system

Abstract

A low-mass head/flexure/conductor assembly for reading and writing information with respect to a rigid magnetic recording disk. The assembly includes a read/write transducer unit, an elongate flexure, and gimbal structure interconnecting and articulating the transducer unit and the flexure for selected, limited relative roll and pitch, without relative yaw. Conductive ribbons that form part of the gimbal structure also form part of the conductive circuit provided in the assembly. The assembly has an effective mass of no more than about 1.5-milligrams. Plural, hardened, wear-resistant feet are formed on the transducer unit for enabling sliding contact with the recording surface in a disk.

It is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent: 
     
       1. A head/flexure/conductor assembly for reading and writing information via a relatively moving recording surface of a rigid magnetic recording medium comprising a read/write transducer unit adapted for sliding on the recording surface during communication with the medium,   an elongate carrier unit for supporting said transducer unit, said carrier unit having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially along a direction of said sliding, and   gimbal structure interconnecting and articulating said units for selected, limited relative movement, said gimbal structure including a pair of laterally spaced, elongate ribbons extending between and connecting said transducer unit and said carrier unit.   
     
     
       2. A gimbaled head/flexure/conductor assembly for the reading and writing of digital information during contact with the recording surface of a rigid magnetic disk, said assembly comprising a slider containing a read/write head and associated head conductor structure,   an elongate flexure structure including a flexure conductor and pivotally attached, distal to said slider, to a mounting structure, and   a gimbal structure operatively interconnecting said slider and said flexure for accommodating limited relative movement between slider and flexure, said gimbal structure including a gimbal conductor conductively interconnecting said head conductor and said flexure conductor,   said gimbal structure including a pair of laterally spaced, elongate ribbons extending between and connecting said slider and said flexure.   
     
     
       3. A head/flexure/conductor assembly for reading and writing information with respect to a rigid magnetic recording medium comprising a read/write transducer unit, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multi-layer, pancake-like configuration,   an elongate carrier unit for supporting said transducer unit, and   gimbal structure interconnecting and articulating said units for selected, limited relative movement, wherein said gimbal structure includes a pair of laterally spaced, elongate ribbons between the units, wherein the assembly is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface.   
     
     
       4. A head/flexure/conductor assembly for reading and writing information with respect to the recording surface in a rigid magnetic recording medium comprising a read/write transducer unit, adapted for sliding contact with the recording surface in such a medium, the transducer unit formed with projecting sliding-contact feet for this purpose,   a pivotally mounted, elongate carrier unit for supporting said transducer unit, and   gimbal structure interconnecting and articulating said transducer unit and said carrier unit for selected, limited relative movement.   
     
     
       5. A read/write organization for use with a rigid magnetic recording medium that has a generally planar recording surface comprising a gimbaled head/flexure/conductor assembly that includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration, wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface.   
     
     
       6. A rigid disk magnetic recording system comprising a rigid magnetic recording disk having a generally planar recording surface, and   a gimbaled head/flexure/conductor assembly operable with respect to said recording surface for reading and writing magnetic information with respect thereto, said assembly including head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration, wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of said surface.   
     
     
       7. A transducer for communication with a rigid magnetic storage disk comprising an elongate beam extending between a mounting end and a free end, including a plurality of longitudinal electrical conductors,   a gimbal disposed adjacent to said free end and coupled to said beam, and   a slider connected to said gimbal having an embedded magnetic pole structure with an exposed pole tip for communication with the rigid magnetic storage disk while sliding on the disk in a direction oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis of said beam.   
     
     
       8. An information storage system comprising a rigid disk having a surface with an associated magnetic storage medium,   an elongated beam extending between a pivot and a free end adjacent to said surface in a direction crossing a radius of said disk, and   a slider connected by a gimbal to said beam adjacent to said free end, said slider containing an embedded pole structure with an exposed pole tip and in dynamic contact with said surface during communication between said pole and said medium.   
     
     
       9. The assembly of claim 1 which further includes conductor structure, and wherein at least a portion of said gimbal structure forms part of said conductor structure. 
     
     
       10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said carrier unit has a distal end, and said ribbons join with said carrier unit adjacent said end with the ribbons including portions extending proximally toward said transducer unit, relative to their regions of joinder with the carrier unit. 
     
     
       11. The assembly of claims 1 or 2, wherein said units are generally planar and disposed generally in parallel planar relationship with respect to one another, and said gimbal structure is constructed to allow limited relative pitch and roll between said units, while inhibiting relative yaw between the two. 
     
     
       12. The assembly of claim 10 which further includes conductor structure, and wherein said ribbons are part of said conductor structure. 
     
     
       13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said carrier unit includes a portion extending adjacent and overlying a zone containing said ribbons. 
     
     
       14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said gimbal structure includes a laterally centered, proximally extending tongue interposed said ribbons and said transducer unit. 
     
     
       15. The assembly of claim 1 which further includes conductor structure, and wherein said ribbons form part of said conductor structure. 
     
     
       16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said units are generally planar and disposed generally in parallel planar relationship with respect to one another, and said gimbal structure is constructed to allow limited relative pitch and roll between said units, while inhibiting relative yaw between the units. 
     
     
       17. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said transducer unit includes a vertical-load-transmitting fulcrum structure, and said carrier unit includes a surface expanse disposed in rocking contact with said fulcrum structure, said fulcrum structure and said surface expanse forming part of said gimbal structure. 
     
     
       18. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said transducer unit includes a vertical-load-transmitting fulcrum structure, and said carrier unit includes a surface expanse disposed in rocking contact with said fulcrum structure, said fulcrum structure and said surface expanse forming part of said gimbal structure. 
     
     
       19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said transducer unit is adapted for sliding contact with the recording surface in such a medium, and the transducer unit is formed with projecting sliding-contact feet for this purpose. 
     
     
       20. The assembly of claims 19 or 4, wherein at least one of said feet is formed of a hardened wear material. 
     
     
       21. The assembly of claims 19 or 4, wherein said feet are formed of a hardened wear material. 
     
     
       22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said wear material has a Knoop hardness not less than about 1000-kg/mm 2 . 
     
     
       23. The assembly of claims 19 or 4, wherein said feet are three in number. 
     
     
       24. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said feet are three in number. 
     
     
       25. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said transducer unit is adapted for sliding contact with the recording surface in such a medium, and the transducer unit is formed with projecting sliding-contact feet for this purpose. 
     
     
       26. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said transducer unit is adapted for sliding contact with the recording surface in such a medium, and the transducer unit is formed with projecting sliding-contact feet for this purpose. 
     
     
       27. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said transducer unit is adapted for sliding contact with the recording surface in such a medium, and the transducer unit is formed with projecting sliding-contact feet for this purpose. 
     
     
       28. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said ribbons form the gimbal conductor. 
     
     
       29. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said slider and flexure are generally planar and disposed generally in parallel planar relationship with respect to one another, and said gimbal structure is constructed to allow limited relative pitch and roll between the slider and flexure, while inhibiting relative yaw between the two. 
     
     
       30. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said slider includes a vertical-load-transmitting fulcrum structure, and said flexure includes a surface expanse disposed in rocking contact with said fulcrum structure, said fulcrum structure and said surface expanse forming part of said gimbal structure. 
     
     
       31. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said slider is adapted for sliding contact with such a recording surface, and the slider is formed with projecting sliding-contact feet for this purpose. 
     
     
       32. The assembly of claim 31, wherein said feet are formed of a hardened wear material. 
     
     
       33. The assembly of claim 31, wherein said feet are three in number. 
     
     
       34. The assembly of claim 32, wherein said feet are three in number. 
     
     
       35. The assembly of claims 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       36. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       37. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       38. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       39. The assembly of claims 19 or 4, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       40. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       41. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       42. The assembly of claim 22, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       43. The assembly of claim 23, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       44. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       45. The assembly of claim 25, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       46. The assembly of claim 26, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       47. The assembly of claim 27, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       48. The assembly of claims 2 or 28, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said flexure. 
     
     
       49. The assembly of claim 29, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said flexure. 
     
     
       50. The assembly of claim 30, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said flexure. 
     
     
       51. The assembly of claim 31, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said flexure. 
     
     
       52. The assembly of claim 32, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said flexure. 
     
     
       53. The assembly of claim 33, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said flexure. 
     
     
       54. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said flexure. 
     
     
       55. The assembly of claims 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       56. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       57. The assembly of claim 17, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       58. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       59. The assembly of claims 19 or 4, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       60. The assembly of claim 20, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       61. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       62. The assembly of claim 22, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       63. The assembly of claim 23, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       64. The assembly of claim 24, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       65. The assembly of claim 25, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       66. The assembly of claim 26, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       67. The assembly of claim 27, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       68. The assembly of claims 2 or 28, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       69. The assembly of claim 29, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       70. The assembly of claim 38, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       71. The assembly of claim 31, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       72. The assembly of claim 32, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       73. The assembly of claim 33, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       74. The assembly of claim 34, wherein said read/write head includes electrical coil structure which has a multilayer, pancake-like configuration. 
     
     
       75. The assembly of claim 56 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       76. The assembly of claim 57 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       77. The assembly of claim 58 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       78. The assembly of claim 59 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       79. The assembly of claim 60 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       80. The assembly of claim 61 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       81. The assembly of claim 62 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       82. The assembly of claim 63 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       83. The assembly of claim 64 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       84. The assembly of claim 65 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       85. The assembly of claim 66 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       86. The assembly of claim 67 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       87. The assembly of claim 68 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       88. The assembly of claim 69 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       89. The assembly of claim 70 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       90. The assembly of claim 71 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       91. The assembly of claim 72 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       92. The assembly of claim 73 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       93. The assembly of claim 74 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane substantially paralleling that of such surface. 
     
     
       94. The assembly of claim 55 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       95. The assembly of claim 56 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       96. The assembly of claim 57 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       97. The assembly of claim 58 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       98. The assembly of claim 59 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       99. The assembly of claim 60 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       100. The assembly of claim 61 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       101. The assembly of claim 62 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       102. The assembly of claim 63 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       103. The assembly of claim 64 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       104. The assembly of claim 65 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       105. The assembly of claim 66 Which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       106. The assembly of claim 67 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       107. The assembly of claim 68 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       108. The assembly of claim 69 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       109. The assembly of claim 70 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       110. The assembly of claim 71 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       111. The assembly of claim 72 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       112. The assembly of claim 73 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       113. The assembly of claim 74 which is intended for use with such a medium that has a generally planar recording surface, and wherein each layer in said pancake-like configuration is generally planar and occupies a plane which is substantially normal to the long axis of said carrier unit. 
     
     
       114. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said wear material has a Knoop hardness not less than about 1000-kg/mm 2 . 
     
     
       115. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said transducer unit is adapted for sliding contact with the recording surface in such a medium, and the transducer unit is formed with projecting sliding-contact feet for this purpose. 
     
     
       116. The assembly of claim 114, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       117. The assembly of claim 115, wherein said transducer unit includes head structure formed with electrical coil structure which has an elongate, helical configuration distributed lengthwise relative to said carrier unit. 
     
     
       118. The transducer of claim 7, wherein a longitudinal axis of said beam is oriented substantially along a direction of said sliding.. 
     
     
       119. The transducer of claim 7, wherein said pole tip is disposed on a bottom surface of said slider. 
     
     
       120. The transducer of claim 7, wherein said pole tip is disposed on a bottom portion of said slider. 
     
     
       121. The transducer of claim 7, wherein said slider has at least one leg and said pole tip is disposed at a bottom of said leg. 
     
     
       122. The transducer of claim 7, wherein said slider has three legs and said pole tip is disposed at a bottom of one of said legs. 
     
     
       123. The transducer of claim 8, wherein said pole tip is disposed on a surface of said slider adjacent to said surface. 
     
     
       124. The transducer of claim 8, wherein said disk rotates about a disk axis and said beam pivots about a pivot axis, said pivot axis being oriented substantially parallel to said disk axis. 
     
     
       125. The transducer of claim 8, wherein said slider has at least one leg and said pole tip is disposed at a bottom of said leg. 
     
     
       126. The transducer of claim 8, wherein said slider has three legs and said pole tip is disposed at a bottom of one of said legs.